Published
Gina was selected as a contributor to the feature article "Maid For Your Party: Effortlessly Coordinate Your Bridal Party's Attire" by Claire Sulmers in the February 2008 issue of Long Island Bride & Groom. The article focused on tips on how to choose dresses and attire for your bridesmaids, flower girl and ring bearer, and the latest trends in bridal attire. Gina's included comments are shown below.
Gina Jokilehto-Schigel of Shi Shi Events in Cleveland, OH has seen an influx of tea-length bridesmaid's dresses. "Tea length dresses are cuter than full length, and invite you to pair them with interesting shoes." Another big trend: the little black bridesmaid dress. "People think black is a morbid color, but I'm seeing it surface often," says Jokilehto-Schigel. "In a formal wedding, black is a neutral palette. And, who doesn't look good in black?" Another benefit of wearing a black dress is that bridesmaids have the option of wearing the dress on another occasion. "I always recommend that my clients select a dress the bridesmaid can wear again," says Jokilehto-Schigel. Many designers today are creating styles that are not super bridesmaid-y looking, so they can be worn another time. Your friends will thank you.
So how much should one expect to pay for a great bridesmaid dress? "Realistically, to get something that looks appropriate, you'll have to spend at least $200," says Jokilehto-Schigel. If you go lower than that price point, the quality of fabric differs, and fabric is one thing you shouldn't skimp on. Aside from draping beautifully, better quality fabric will hold up during the dance-filled reception. "I've seen girls in dresses made of such inferior fabric that...[the dress] ripped," says Jokilehto-Schigel. "You don't want to deal with those kinds of issues on your big day."
